Nehemiah 11:1-9 – Leaders
Although most of the activity mentioned so far in the book of Nehemiah has taken place within the city of Jerusalem, there were many of the people who were living in the towns and villages surrounding the city. Nehemiah now instituted a plan to ensure that the Holy city was adequately populated.
The temple had been built under Ezra and the wall rebuilt under Nehemiah, but the city still needed more people. There was a great deal of work to be done to rebuild a city that had been so extensively destroyed and willing people would be needed for the work. The wall had been built but there was a need for people to man the defences in case of attack.
The leaders of the people had set a good example by residing in the city. It is always important that leaders, especially spiritual leaders, set an example for others to follow; if the leaders were not prepared to live in Jerusalem, they could hardly expect the people to do so! Christian leaders should never expect the people to do something they are not prepared to do themselves.
Nehemiah and the rulers of the people decided to cast lots and bring one tenth of the population into the city. This displayed an amazing commitment on the part of the people to be willing to leave the comfort and security of their own surroundings and begin a new life in what must have been a strange and alien environment. These people were going to do something new in order that the work of God would not be hindered. They had a willing spirit even though they may not have chosen themselves to live in Jerusalem.
Are Christian people as willing to leave the comfort of their own congregation to begin a new work or to strengthen a weak congregation as the people in this passage were?
Questions
- How did the people of Isreal follow the example of their leaders?
Prayer Points
- Pray that we would follow the example of our leaders.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.